About the Award

The University of Prince Edward Island’s Hessian Merit Awards for Excellence in Teaching honour faculty members who are recognized as possessing outstanding competence in teaching. These awards publicly acknowledge individuals whose work has contributed to instructional excellence at UPEI. nominees for these awards are expected to:

• exhibit a comprehensive knowledge of their teaching subject
• be habitually well prepared for teaching sessions
• have energy and enthusiasm for their teaching subject and the capacity to maintain students’ interest in it
• encourage student participation in the teaching and learning process
• set a high standard and motivate students to attain that standard
• communicate effectively at levels appropriate to students’ capacity
• emphasize understanding of the subject over mere memorization (as appropriate) in evaluating student performance
• be accessible to students outside the classroom, and
• demonstrate excellence in teaching, including the use of innovative teaching techniques

Eligibility

• Any member of the Faculty Association is eligible for nomination except current members of the Faculty Association Executive Committee
• Winners within the past five years are not eligible.

Nomination

There is one award for a sessional instructor and one award for a permanent track faculty member.

Each nomination must be supported by three or more sponsors—students, full-time or sessional faculty or staff, and/or alumni. Each supporter identified on the online form must write a separate letter of support that addresses the criteria for the award. The online form and supporting documentation should be submitted together by the nominee through the link below.

Self-Nomination is permitted and encouraged.

The nomination for this award includes 3 items: